The Open Emergency Medicine Journal, 2011, 4, 17-21 17

1876-5424/11 2011 Bentham Open

Open Access

Mycosis Fungoides Presentation in Emergency

Asaad Shujaa*,1 and M. Owais Suriya

2

Department of Emergency Medicine College of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Ri-

yadh, KSA

Abstract: We present the case of a young lady who presented to the department of emergency medicine (DEM) for

evaluation of painful breast swelling and skin indurations involving 90% of the body surface. She stayed long in the DEM

for 3 days and managed for breast abscess she was consulted to dermatology for evaluation of skin lesions and prelimi-

nary diagnosed as rare skin T cell lymphoma. Final diagnosis based on clinical and histopathological was Mycosis Fun-

goids (MF).This case reveals that prompt referral from the DEM to the concerned speciality even for the rare type of dis-

eases like MF can facilitate diagnosis and management and overall positive impact on disease outlook. Our patient was fi-

nally admitted under oncology unit and managed appropriately.

Keywords: Mycosis Fungoids, Cutaneous lymphoma, Tcell lymphoma, Breast swelling.

INTRODUCTION

MF is one of the adult types T cell lymphomas and is characterized by the localization of neoplastic T lymphocytes to the skin. These disorders present as a mixture of cutane-ous manifestations with the abnormal proliferation of pe-ripheral T cells. This condition must be distinguished from other types of cutaneous T cell lymphomas such as the Sezary syndrome, CD30+ T-cell lymphoproliferative disor-ders of the skin, Subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lym-phoma and others. Following case report, despite the rarity of condition, reflects that holistic approach in evaluating patient and prompt referral to respective speciality by DEM can play a important role in the management of the patient.

CASE REPORT

A 26 year old single female presented to the emergency department (ED) of King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh KSA, complaining of painful swel-ling of her left breast and adjacent chest wall for few months reason for her presentation was increased frequency of pain for the week. She also reported swelling of the forehead and diffusely distributed rashes over her body for the same dura-tion. She also gave history of fatigue, generalized body aches and joint pain. She reported regular menses and denied any anorexia, weight loss or accompanying fever. Her past medi-cal history was unremarkable.

EXAMINATION

On the left side breast and surrounding soft tissues were swollen measuring 10 x 10 cm with reddened, indurated skin and a purulent discharge. Another lesion of the same mor-phology was on her forehead; and this lesion measured 5 cm x 3 cm. In addition to these lesions, there were scattered, patchy, areas of indurated skin involving approximately 90%

*Address correspondence to this author at the Dept. of Emergency Medicine

(65), King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, P.O. Box

7805, Riyadh- 11472, KSA; Tel: 009661 4699346; Fax: 009661 4672529;

E-mail: asaads2003@yahoo.com

of the body surface area (Fig. 1). Enlarged lymph nodes of the neck were noted bilaterally on both cervical chains; but no palpable lymph nodes were noted elsewhere. Her pulmo-nary, cardiovascular and neurological examinations were normal, whereas abdominal exam revealed an enlarged and palpable liver with a 16 cm span. The spleen was impalpable and no ascites.

Fig. (1). Forearm with heterogeneous skin patches, plaques and erythrodermic lesions with brown pigmentation (poikiloderma).

In the DEM her workup was initiated. Samples of the purulent drainage from the chest lesion were sent for gram staining, culture and sensitivities. Intravenous ceftriaxone was administered empirically treat breast abcess. Laboratory testing demonstrated the following: WBC 10.8 thousand comprising 81% lymphocytes, Hgb 11.8 gm/l, platelets 168,000/L, urea 3.6 mmol/L, creatinine 47 micromol/L, Na 138 mmol/L, K 4.0 mmol/L, Cl 104 mmol/L, total bilirubin 4.1 micromol/L, total protein 71.6 g/L, albumin 35 gm/L, alanine aminotransferase 430 u/L, aspartate aminotransferase 33 u/L, gamma-glutamyltransferase 45 u/L, alkaline phos-phatase 97 u/L, Calcium 2.03 mmol/L, lactate dehydro-genase 41.5 u/L.

While in the DEM due to her features the possibility of occult underlying condition was suspected hence, the patient was referred to the dermatology service and after review a preliminary diagnosis of T cell lymphoma versus non-

18 The Open Emergency Medicine Journal, 2011, Volume 4 Shujaa and Suriya

Hodgkin’s lymphoma was made. The patient was admitted under dermatology for evaluation. She underwent radiologi-cal and histopathological evaluation. Ultrasound and com-puterized axial tomography (CAT) scan revealed enlarged cervical, axillary and inguinal lymph nodes; multiple thyroid

and lung nodules, and thickened skin of the left lateral tho-racic wall due to skin infiltration (Figs. 2-8). Her liver was enlarged at 18 cm and multiple small nodules were noted. Her skin biopsy showed perivascular, atypical mononuclear infiltrates into dermis forming aggregates. The atypical mononuclear cells were CD4

+ve and CD8

–ve, a large number

of cells were CD 30+ve

while CD68 +ve

cells were present in intervening dermal histiocytes. These findings were confir-matory for T cell lymphoma/MF. Histopathology of biopsied lymph node demonstrated large T cells (CD30

+ve) consistent

with blastic transformation of T cell lymphoma. A bone mar-row biopsy showed no involvement.

Fig. (5). CT axial image 1 of chest showing at level of arch of aorta

multiple well defined lymph nodes in right lung of variable sizes.

Fig. (6). CT axial image of chest showing multiple well defined and

variably sized lymph nodes in both lungs at the level of the heart.

The patient was taken over by the Oncology unit and received chemotherapy in combination of Cyclophos-phamide, Rituximab, Doxorubicin and Vincristine.

Fig. (2). Thyroid ultrasound showing well defined hypoechoic

lymph nodes posterior to the right lobe of the thyroid gland.

Fig. (3). Ultrasound of the neck showing an oval shaped hypo-

echoic cervical lymph node.

Fig. (4). CT image of the neck demonstrating large cervical lymph

nodes on the right (arrow).

T Cell Lymphoma Presentation in Emergency The Open Emergency Medicine Journal, 2011, Volume 4 19

Fig. (7). CT axial image of the liver at gastrohepatic level showing

well defined and variably sized lymph nodes.

Fig. (8). CT axial image of the left lower chest showing left lateral

chest wall thickening with thickening of the underlying muscles.

DISCUSSION

T cell lymphoma is an indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma of T-cell origin and MF is a variant of T cell lymphoma with characteristic skin involvement. This disorder differs from other primary T-cell lymphomas by its own unique clinical features and histopathology [1,2].

MF has no definite etiology [3] but hypothetical genetic

involvement [4,5], chemicals and environmental exposure [6] human T cell virus type 1 (HTLV1) [7] and chromosomal abnormalities in the form of deletions and translocations have been implicated [8,9]. MF is a rare disease reported incidence is six cases per year per million [10]. The peak age of presentation is 55-60 years. Mycosis fungoids has a male

to female ratio of 2:1 and is more common in black than white patients [11].

Skin lesions are the most common presenting features which include generalized patches, plaques, and erythroderma like features. The promyelocytic type is a pre-diagnostic manifestation of MF which may prolong for dec-ades until rapid progression to advanced disease. In the pro-myelocytic phase skin lesions are often misdiagnosed as pso-riasis and non specific dermatitis due its resemblance to these conditions. The rate of misdiagnosis is very common at this stage [12-14]. Another uncommon feature is the mottled skin pigmentation known as poikiloderma [15]. The skin lesions are typically multiple and often more than 5 centime-ters in size. These lesions tend to increase in size with dis-ease progression [16].

Extradermal manifestation can involve any part of the body but the organs commonly involved are lymph nodes, lungs, liver, spleen peripheral blood and bone marrow [17-19].

Histopathologic hallmarks include epidermotropism or localization of abnormal T lymphocytes within the epidermis involving adhesion molecules soluble intercellular molecule 1 and 3 (sICAM1 and sICAM3). Aberrant cytokine produc-tion of helper T cells type 2 and low production of helper T cell type 1 cytokines are pathognomonic. This results in an impaired T cell response to mitogen which eventually leads to atypical progression of T cells [20-22].

The standard staging system for MF is based upon an evaluation of the skin (T), lymph nodes (N), visceral in-volvement (M), and blood (B). Therefore, the diagnostic strategy should include direct examination of the skin lesions followed by biopsy, complete blood count, blood chemistry, chest radiograph and computed tomography with or without positron emission tomography (PET). Molecular and immu-nohistopathologic studies are necessary to confirm the diag-nosis in a patient with suspected skin lesions. The diagnostic criteria for MF is demonstrated in Table 1 [23]. The progno-sis of patients with MF is variable. In those with extensive skin lesions and extradermal involvement the prognosis is poor. Treatment of MF depends upon the staging and in-cludes localized topical therapy for early stages. The stan-dard treatment of early lesions includes psoralens in associa-tion with UV-A irradiation (PUVA - psoralens and UVA), interferon -2a, retinoids, or a combination of these three modalities. Many new treatment protocols have been intro-duced for treatment of early MF including, among others, photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolaevulinic acid, new retinoids such as bexarotene. For advanced disease systemic retinoids, interferon, vorinostat, Denileukin, methotrexate, chlorambucil, and etoposide are also used in different com-binations as per individual response. Bone marrow transplan-tation has also been used in certain cases. As a rule manage-ment of MF particularly in advance stage needs the special-ized manage of a hematology-oncology service [24-26].

CONCLUSION

This case report demonstrates that the presentation of occult conditions in DEM is quite frequent, and in such en-counters prompt and speciality focused consultations can facilitate early diagnosis and should be considered by DEM to play active role in improving health care system.

20 The Open Emergency Medicine Journal, 2011, Volume 4 Shujaa and Suriya

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None declared.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

None declared.

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Table 1. Diagnostic Criteria of Mycosis Fungoids*

Criteria Scoring

Clinical

Basic:

Persistent and/or progressive patches/thin plaques

1. Non-sun exposed location

2. Size/shape variation

3. Poikiloderma

2 points for basic criteria and two additional criteria

1 point for basic criteria and one additional criterion

Histopathological:

Basic:

Superficial lymphoid infiltrate

Additional:

1. Epidermotropism without spongiosis

2. Lymphoid atypia

2 points for basic criteria and two additional criteria

1 point for basic criteria and one additional criterion

Molecular biology:

Clonal T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement

1 point for clonality

Immunopathologic:

1. <50 percent CD2+, CD3+, and/or CD5+ T-cells

2. <10 percent CD7+ T cells

3. Epidermal/dermal discordance of CD2, CD3, CD5, or CD7

1 point for one or more criteria

*A total of 4 points is required for the diagnosis of MF based on any combination of points from the clinical, histopathologic, molecular biological, and immunopathologic criteria. Adapted by ref. [23]: Pimpinelli, N, Olsen, EA, Santucci, M, et al., Defining early mycosis fungoides. J Am Acad Dermatol 2005; 53:1053.

T Cell Lymphoma Presentation in Emergency The Open Emergency Medicine Journal, 2011, Volume 4 21

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cyclophosphamide, vincristine, methotrexate, and prednisone. Am J Clin Oncol 1984; 7(5): 453-555.

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(EORTC) cutaneous lymphoma project group. J Am Acad Derma-tol 2002; 47(3): 364-70.

Received: February 23, 2011 Revised: October 28, 2011 Accepted: October 30, 2011

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